Job Description

Working Full Time:

37.5 Hours per week



We are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for an experienced Critical Care Nurse to join the Senior Nursing Team at the Countess of Chester Hospital in a dual role as Senior Sister/Charge Nurse and Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) . While the role is typically split equally between clinical and educational duties, it is anticipated that full-time hours may flex between roles depending on service needs.



This post combines clinical leadership with a strong educational focus. As Senior Sister/Charge Nurse , you will lead ICU shifts, oversee daily operations, and ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and compassionate care. You will support the multidisciplinary team, manage clinical priorities, and serve as a visible role model promoting best practice.



As Practice Education Facilitator , you will deliver high-quality education through bedside teaching, simulation, and structured training. Working alongside another full-time PEF, you will support staff development, assess competencies, and promote a culture of continuous learning in line with national critical care standards.



The post-holder will ensure that all areas of practice adhere to all current NMC guidance.



Establish standards of nursing care and ensure these are delivered at all times by regularly monitoring and evaluating patient outcomes.



You will lead in establishing and maintaining effective communication with patients, relatives and carers to always ensure their involvement in the decisions about treatment, planning and the delivery of their care.



Responsible for the management, supervision and support of all members of the allocated mentor group and others in the absence of their mentor, always acting as a professional role model.



The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:

The Countess of Chester Hospital:

providing 438 general and acute beds

Ellesmere Port Hospital:

providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility

Tarporley War Memorial Hospital:

a base for community services which serve the local rural population.



The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000. This includes 357,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.



The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.



See for further details.



Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.



Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.



You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of 16 per year applies.



New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.



Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.



Good luck with your application.